Candidates tout natural resources – Economy focus of gubernatorial forum in Great Falls

As Montana’s five gubernatorial candidates appeared together Friday for the first time, the first speaker struck a theme that all would follow: Montana must mine its natural resources to return to economic greatness.

By MIKE DENNISON
Tribune Capitol Bureau

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20040110/localnews/202487.html

"What we need to do is develop those natural resources as the demand takes place, on our terms," said Secretary of State Bob Brown. "And that’s something we know how to do."

To a man, the Republican quartet of candidates — Brown, Billings businessman Pat Davison and former state senators Ken Miller of Laurel and Tom Keating of Billings — followed the natural resource lead.

Then came Brian Schweitzer, a Whitefish farmer and the only Democratic candidate on the platform.

He, too, sang the praises and promise of natural resources, talking about how Montana has a huge competitive advantage with its coal deposits and "all the components" to develop hydrogen energy: Coal, limestone, platinum.

So, is there any difference between these guys?

At Friday’s forum, sponsored by the Montana Contractors Association at its annual meeting at the Great Falls Holiday Inn, the difference often seemed more one of style than substance.

Each man delivered a brief speech on the economy and his candidacy and answered questions from the contractor audience.

The four Republicans will square off in the June 8 primary election vying for the GOP nomination and a chance to succeed Republican Gov. Judy Martz, who is not running for re-election.

Schweitzer so far is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Davison, an accountant and business adviser, delivered his message like an economic evangelist, nearly shouting that Montanans must "take back their state" from environmental extremists who are blocking development of Montana’s coal, oil and gas, timber and precious metals.

"We need to stand up to the people who say ‘No, you can’t do that,’ and say ‘Yes, we are going to do that,’" he said. "It takes someone in a leadership post to stand up and say, ‘We’re going to do it.’"

Keating, an oil and gas developer, took an even blunter, hard-line approach, saying he wants to repeal major environmental laws and regulations he says are hindering development.

The Montana Environmental Policy Act, the state "facility-siting act" and the ban on cyanide-leach, open-pit gold mines should be abolished, he said, and taxes should be kept low to encourage business.

"If you take the toys away from the environmentalists, they can’t take you to court," he said. "That’s what I’m proposing."

Miller, who grew up on a dairy farm and who has owned several small businesses, talked about his family and how he sees the Montana that he loves slipping away, and how he wants his two children to be able to enjoy a good job, opportunities to hunt and fish and a state with low taxes and flourishing business.

He also told the contractor audience that he would not support increasing gasoline taxes, which fund highway construction projects.

"When you take money out of the people’s pockets, they can’t spend it on the economy," Miller said.

The soft-spoken Brown, who spent more than 20 years as a state senator from Whitefish, emphasized his political experience and a pragmatic approach, saying one can’t simply ram programs through the Legislature.

"There’s a difference between principle and policy," the former high school government teacher said, sprinkling his talk with references to historical figures like 18th century Russian czar Peter the Great.

Brown also laid out his near- and long-term approach to boosting the state’s economy: First, use coal-tax funds to build infrastructure and next work toward more natural resource development.

Schweitzer, clad in boots, jeans and a sport jacket, spoke of the needs of small business, which he said are the backbone of Montana’s economy.

The state must find ways to provide small business with the tools it needs to develop, such as access to capital, affordable health care for its employees and an education system that churns out graduates who are in demand and ready to work, such as welders, electricians and other skilled crafts, he said.

Montana’s trade schools have the highest tuition in the nation, he said, implying it’s a barrier to students who want to learn a trade.

The candidates also kicked around the pros and cons of a pledge against new or higher taxes, in response to a contractor’s question about whether they’d support tax increases if a majority of lawmakers and the public supported such increases.

Schweitzer said such a pledge is "meaningless," and that he’s not going to rule out any idea. Painting one’s self in a corner is not being a good leader, he said.

Brown also said he won’t sign a no-tax pledge, because it’s possible that a tax increase could be needed.

"My philosophy is not to raise taxes, but you shouldn’t make a firm commitment that you might not be able to keep," he said.

Miller, Keating and Davison have pledged not to raise taxes or impose new ones.

Miller said he believes government spending can always be cut to resolve budget problems, and Davison said the pledge makes it clear where he stands: against tax increases.

"Government is becoming larger and larger and larger, and it’s time that we need to stop that," he said.

Keating said he’s always been for lower taxes and that he’d support a new tax only if it replaces a current tax.